How Do I Transfer a Car Title in California?

Updated August 2026

Quick answer: To transfer a car title in California after a private-party sale, verify the California Certificate of Title, obtain the required buyer, seller, and lienholder signatures, complete the odometer disclosure when required, satisfy the smog requirement, and submit the ownership change with the applicable DMV fees. The buyer must transfer ownership within 10 days, and the seller must report the sale within five calendar days. Eligible buyers can transfer their title online through Xtreet.

This guide covers a standard in-state private-party sale of a vehicle already titled in California. Gifts, inheritances, out-of-state vehicles, and dealer sales can require different forms and additional documentation.

The DMV's private-party requirements outline the buyer's and seller's responsibilities. The steps below explain how to prepare the correct documents, meet the applicable deadlines, and avoid preventable title-transfer problems.

What is required to transfer a car title in California?

A standard California title transfer generally requires a properly signed title or qualifying replacement application, accurate buyer and seller information, an odometer disclosure when applicable, a valid smog certification or exemption, and payment of the required fees.

1. Review the title and lien status

Inspect the California Certificate of Title before anyone writes on it. Confirm that the seller matches the registered owner, the vehicle identification number matches the vehicle, and any listed lienholder has properly released its interest.

If the title is lost, stolen, damaged, or illegible, complete REG 227. The seller completes the applicable ownership and missing-title sections, and the buyer completes the new-owner information. Xtreet may also request the current registration card when processing a transfer without the original title.

When a lienholder appears on the vehicle record, the DMV generally requires the lienholder's release on the title or applicable release document. A releasing lienholder's signature on REG 227 must be notarized. For a California-titled vehicle that is two model years old or newer, a non-electronic lien can't be released using REG 227 or REG 166; the lienholder must obtain a replacement title first. Electronic liens follow a separate lender-release process.

Our lien-release guide explains the different requirements for electronic liens, paper titles, and lender releases.

2. Complete the ownership sections

Enter the information exactly as required on the title or replacement application. For an eligible transfer, have the following ready:

• The signed California title or a properly completed REG 227.
• The buyer's true full name, mailing address, and driver's license or identification information.
• The seller's name and required releasing signature.
• The vehicle's license plate number and vehicle identification number.
• The purchase date and purchase price.
• The lienholder's name, address, and release, when applicable.

The DMV's ownership requirements state that every owner must sign when co-owners are joined by “and.” Only one owner generally needs to sign when names are joined by “or” or “and/or.”

Don't erase, cross out, or change a buyer's name after completing the document. Depending on the error, the DMV may require a replacement title, a corrective ownership statement, or other supporting documentation.

3. Record the odometer reading

The DMV's current odometer rules require disclosure for covered vehicles that are less than 20 model years old. Under federal requirements, model-year 2010 and older vehicles remain exempt, while model-year 2011 and newer vehicles generally require disclosure until they reach the 20-year threshold.

Record the mileage on the title when it contains a compliant odometer section. If the title lacks that section, the title is unavailable, or the odometer disclosure contains an alteration, use the original REG 262.

REG 262 is printed on security paper and isn't available as an online download. Request the original form from the DMV, and make sure the buyer and seller provide the required original signatures. A general power of attorney can't complete the odometer disclosure.

4. Confirm smog compliance

For most private-party sales, the seller must provide a valid smog certification before the ownership transfer can be completed. California's Bureau of Automotive Repair says a vehicle purchased from a private seller must have passed its smog inspection within the previous 90 days.

The DMV's smog exemptions include electric vehicles, motorcycles, and qualifying older vehicles. Gasoline, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are four model years old or newer generally don't need a change-of-ownership smog inspection; the buyer pays the applicable smog transfer fee instead.

Don't confuse this change-of-ownership rule with California's separate eight-model-year exemption for certain registration renewals.

5. Submit the transfer and liability notice

The DMV's current title-transfer instructions direct applicants to submit a standard ownership transfer by mail or at a DMV field office. The agency's former Virtual Office continues processing requests submitted before September 20, 2025, but doesn't accept new title-transfer applications through that channel.

Eligible buyers can start the transfer online through Xtreet. Provide the requested buyer, seller, and vehicle details, upload the necessary documents, and submit any original signed forms when required. Original paperwork may be sent by trackable mail, or if you prefer not to mail your original title, you can schedule an appointment to drop off your documents in person at our offices in San Francisco or San Jose.

The seller must separately file a release of liability and keep the confirmation. That filing helps protect the seller from certain liabilities arising after the sale, but it doesn't complete the ownership transfer or remove the seller's name from the vehicle record.

How long do you have to transfer a car title in California?

Three different deadlines apply to a standard California private-party vehicle sale:

• Seller's reporting deadline: File the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within five calendar days of the sale.
• Buyer's ownership deadline: Submit the ownership transfer within 10 days of the purchase.
• Transfer-fee deadline: Pay the DMV transfer fee within 30 days of the transfer date to avoid a late transfer penalty.

The 10-day ownership requirement and the 30-day fee-penalty threshold are separate. Missing the ownership-reporting deadline doesn't automatically mean the transfer penalty begins on day 11.

How much does a California DMV title transfer cost?

The total depends on the vehicle record, purchase price, registration address, filing method, and any optional processing or shipping services. The buyer generally pays the applicable state transfer fees and use tax.

The DMV's fee schedule lists current state charges, while our fees explain the applicable service, shipping, and payment costs. California's use tax guidance confirms that the tax rate depends on the address where the vehicle is registered.

Shipping options apply to eligible documents handled by Xtreet. They don't accelerate the DMV's production or mailing of the new California title.

Frequently asked questions

Do both parties need to be present for a title transfer in CA?

No. The seller can sign the required ownership documents and provide them to the buyer, who submits the transfer. Every required owner, lienholder, buyer, and seller signature must still be provided in the correct section.

Can someone else register my car for me in California?

Yes. An authorized representative may complete eligible parts of the transaction under a valid power of attorney. However, a power of attorney can't be used to disclose odometer mileage when the DMV requires the buyer's and seller's original signatures.

Can I transfer a title online in California?

Yes. Eligible buyers can transfer online through Xtreet, although original signed documents may still be required. The DMV no longer accepts new title-transfer requests through its former Virtual Office; direct applications must be mailed or submitted at a field office.

What is title jumping in California?

Title jumping happens when a buyer resells a vehicle before transferring ownership into that buyer's name. The DMV's multiple-transfer rules require documentation showing the full ownership chain and a separate transfer fee for each buyer.

How long does a CA title transfer take?

The DMV says a new California title usually arrives by mail within 15 to 30 days. Missing signatures, incorrect documents, unresolved liens, smog issues, or other vehicle-record problems can delay processing.

Complete your California car title transfer

A successful California title transfer depends on a properly documented ownership chain, the correct signatures, an accurate odometer disclosure, valid smog documentation or an exemption, and timely payment of applicable fees. Keep copies of the signed paperwork, payment receipt, and seller's release-of-liability confirmation until the new title arrives.

Xtreet can help eligible buyers prepare and submit California title transfers, collect the required owner and vehicle information, calculate transaction-specific DMV charges, and identify any original documents needed to complete the filing. Xtreet doesn't issue titles, override ownership or lienholder requirements, waive DMV fees, or expedite title production. The DMV remains responsible for issuing and mailing the new title.

Start your California title transfer online.